SUSPENSION OF DEPORTATION Any expulsion proceedings commenced on or after April 1, 1997 are removal proceedings rather than deportation or exclusion proceedings. However, persons who were placed in deportation proceedings prior to April 1, 1997 as well as NACARA applicants may still be eligible for suspension of deportation. A deportable alien may apply for permanent residence through suspension of deportation if he is able to fulfill the following 3 conditions: 1. He must have been continuously physically present in the U.S. for at least seven years. Absences which are "brief, casual and innocent" do not interrupt the continuity of the alien's physical presence. 2. He must be a person of good moral character. 3. It must be an extreme hardship upon the alien, or his spouse, children or parents who are citizens or residents of the United States if he were forced to leave the country. - http://www.shusterman.com/deport.html Neo_Ji: How about Hispanic lawyers? They deal with deportation issues all the time......have you tried them yet?